Studios Cancel TV Critics’ Parties Due to Strike

The W.G.A. strike has forced the cancellation of the TV Critics Assication’s winter press tour—another indication that the networks are digging in for the long haul, according to Variety. The two-week schmooze-fest brings a few hundred reporters and publicists to the Los Angeles area for a series of press conferences and parties.

Fate of the semiannual tour has been in limbo since last month, when NBC announced it was pulling out of the event (Daily Variety, Nov. 14). But with negotiations having broken off — and logistical concerns mounting — the networks and TCA exec board decided to finally pull the plug Monday.

"We just ran out of time," TCA prexy Dave Walker told Daily Variety. "Even if there were a stunning surprise settlement, the networks have said it would be difficult" to throw together a January tour.